The new year is bringing a new family-owned discount retail store to the greater Hornell area.
The Discount Warehouse at 7451 Seneca Road North is set to open in the next few days, according to its owners, Chris and Shawna Shollenberger of Pine City.
The 11,000 square feet store will mainly offer overstocked merchandise from major retailers like Target, Walmart, Staples and others at prices that are 50% to 90% off.
Given the size of the space, setting everything up is taking some time. However, the finish line is now in sight.
“We are close,” Chris Shollenberger said on Jan. 5. “It takes us a little bit to set up. Our goal is to be open by Jan. 10.”
Discount Warehouse emphasizes affordability at Hornell store
Target is a major supplier, with The Discount Warehouse taking in truckloads of products ranging from household essentials to brand name and niche items.
Chris Shollenberger said the store never knows exactly what it is getting in each truck load until it’s unpacked, but there is usually a wide mix of merchandise.
Shollenberger said The Discount Warehouse will emphasize affordability and durability while offering an evolving selection of products.
“We focus on quality products at a good price,” he said. “We treat everyone fairly. We have great deals, and we want people to keep coming back to us.”
The Discount Warehouse will also carry footwear and apparel, most at fixed prices.
Adult clothing will generally be sold at a flat rate of $4.99 and adult shoes will be on sale for $9.99 or less.
The store plans to sell kids shoes for $6.99 or less.
“They are usually at least half off what they are at retail,” Chris Shollenberger said.
Discount Warehouse owners are experienced retailers
The Shollenbergers, a married couple with seven children, are no Johnny-come-latelies to retail sales, as they are the former owners of Crazy Savings Wholesales, a toy store giant in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, with more than 30 employees.
After selling that business, they took some time off and then began looking for their next opportunity. They liked what they saw on Seneca Road in a business plaza that also includes Harbor Freight, Dollar General and Advanced Auto Parts.
“It seemed like a good area. We had offers on other buildings,” Chris Shollenberger said.
Depending on how successful the store is, the owners have an option of taking on another 25,000 feet of retail space at the plaza.
The Shollenbergers hope to build good word of mouth about the store. They will make heavy use of their Facebook page, with plans to post news about new truck loads, special deals and sales on the social media site.
Store hours are still being finalized. They will also be announced on the discounter’s Facebook page.
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: The Discount Warehouse poised to open on Seneca Road in Hornellsville
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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